Computer program product, information processing apparatus, and data processing method

ABSTRACT

A computer program product including programmed instructions that cause a computer to perform acquiring, changing, first generating, second generating, and synthesizing. The acquiring includes acquiring first point cloud data including a position on a first three-dimensional surface shape. The changing includes changing, using a three-dimensional element shape, the first three-dimensional surface shape represented by the first point cloud data to a second three-dimensional surface shape. The first generating includes generating second point cloud data including a surface position on the second three-dimensional surface shape. The second generating includes generating, from the second point cloud data, second shape data representing the second three-dimensional shape. The synthesizing includes synthesizing element shape data of the surface model or the solid model and the second shape data to generate first shape data representing the surface model or the solid model of the first three-dimensional shape.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a program, aninformation processing apparatus, and a data processing method.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, three-dimensional scanners generate point cloud datamade of a set of points representing three-dimensional coordinates of athree-dimensional surface shape of a substance. The point cloud data isgenerally not suitable for three-dimensional processing and is thusoften converted into three-dimensional shape data of a surface model ora solid model (three-dimensional CAD model data used in CAD, forexample) before use.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP 2003-048242 A-   Patent Literature 2: JP 09-185647 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the conventional technique, it may be difficult toappropriately convert data of points such as a hole and a dent whengenerating the three-dimensional shape data from the point cloud datausing a free curved surface shape, for example. With a failure in thedata conversion, an operator needs to correct the data, which willincrease his or her workload.

Means for Solving Problem

A program of an embodiment causes a computer to execute an acquisitionstep, a first generation step, a second generation step, and a thirdgeneration step. The acquisition step acquires first point cloud dataincluding three-dimensional coordinates of a position on a firstthree-dimensional surface shape. The first generation step changes thefirst three-dimensional surface shape represented by the first pointcloud data to a second three-dimensional surface shape, using athree-dimensional element shape, and generates second point cloud dataincluding three-dimensional coordinates of a position on the secondthree-dimensional surface shape. The second generation step generates,from the second point cloud data, second shape data representing thesecond three-dimensional shape by a surface model representing athree-dimensional surface shape by a curved surface or athree-dimensional solid model having a volume. The third generation stepsynthesizes element shape data of the surface model or the solid modeland the second shape data to generate first shape data representing thesurface model or the solid model of the first three-dimensional shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of athree-dimensional object generation system of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of astorage device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary three-dimensional shape represented bypoint cloud data in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary concept of processing by athree-dimensional CAD model generation program of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary transition of a three-dimensional shapebased on the processing by the three-dimensional CAD model generationprogram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the overall procedure of a three-dimensionalobject generation system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary configurations of athree-dimensional scanner and a three-dimensional printer of a secondembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, favorable embodiments of a program, an informationprocessing apparatus, and a data processing method according to thisinvention will be described in detail with reference to the appendeddrawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of athree-dimensional object generation system of a first embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional object generation systemincludes an information processing apparatus 100, a three-dimensionalscanner 170, and a three-dimensional printer 180.

The three-dimensional scanner 170 generates, on the basis of an objectto scan, point cloud data representing points on a three-dimensionalsurface shape of the object as three-dimensional coordinates. Thethree-dimensional scanner 170 then transmits the generated point clouddata to the information processing apparatus 100.

Any technique may be used to measure the points on the three-dimensionalsurface shape of the object by the three-dimensional scanner 170 of thepresent embodiment. For example, there is a technique to irradiate theobject with laser light, then detect reflected light with an opticalsensor and regard the position reflecting the laser light as the surfaceof the object, and acquire a set of points representing coordinates ofthe position as the point cloud data. The optical sensor is provided atone end of an arm as a combination of rotational joints, and ismotion-controlled with the arm.

Other examples include a technique using a three-dimensional measuringinstrument which includes an optical sensor to contact with the surfaceof an object for measurement, and a technique using a device includingmultiple optical sensors which move around and image a target object tomeasure a distance to the surface of the object.

In the present embodiment, the point cloud data includes positions ofpoints on the surface of the three-dimensional object as coordinates ofa three-dimensional coordinate system (for example, an XYZ coordinatesystem) by way of example. Alternatively, the point cloud data can bepolygon data including positions of vertices of a polygon triangle asthree-dimensional coordinates.

The three-dimensional printer 180 is a device that generates an objecthaving a three-dimensional shape by adhesion of material according tothree-dimensional CAD model data.

The three-dimensional printer 180 of the present embodiment may formobjects by an arbitrary method, for example, extrusion deposition,material injection deposition, binder injection, sheet deposition,liquid tank photopolymerization, or powder bed fusion.

The three-dimensional CAD model data in the present embodiment isthree-dimensional shape data usable in a three-dimensional printer or athree-dimensional CAD, and represents a three-dimensional object by asurface model representing a three-dimensional surface shape of asubstance by a free curved surface or a solid model representing athree-dimensional shape as a three-dimensional solid having a volume.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100includes a ROM 101, a RAM 102, a storage device 103, a CPU 104, a firstconnection I/F 105, a second connection I/F 106, an input device 107,and a display device 108.

For example, the information processing apparatus 100 can executevarious types of processing by the CPU 104's executing an OS andprograms stored in the ROM 101 or the storage device 103, using the RAM102 as a work area.

The first connection I/F 105 and the second connection I/F 106 can beUSB standard interfaces including a built-in universal serial bus (USB)controller, for example. In the present embodiment the first connectionI/F 105 is connected to the three-dimensional scanner 170, and thesecond connection I/F 106 is connected to the three-dimensional printer180.

The information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodimentexecutes a three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 stored inthe storage device 103. The three-dimensional CAD model generationprogram 150 converts the point cloud data, input from thethree-dimensional scanner 170 through the first connection I/F 105, intothe three-dimensional CAD model data. The three-dimensional CAD modelgeneration program 150 refers to an element shape storage DB 160 for thedata conversion into the three-dimensional CAD model data.

The three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 outputs theconverted three-dimensional CAD model data to the three-dimensionalprinter 180 through the second connection I/F 106. Thereby, thethree-dimensionally shaped substance scanned with the three-dimensionalscanner 170 can be output.

The present embodiment describes as an example, but should not belimited to, an application of the three-dimensional CAD model generationprogram 150 as a single program. Alternatively, the three-dimensionalCAD model generation program 150 may be an add-in program to athree-dimensional CAD plug, for example.

The input device 107 receives an operation from an operator, andprovides the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 aninstruction for executing processing.

The display device 108 displays various types of information. Forexample, the display device 108 displays read point cloud data and athree-dimensional shape based on three-dimensional CAD model data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of thestorage device 103 in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 includes anacquirer 201, a designation receiver 202, a complementary data generator203, a three-dimensional model generator 204, and a three-dimensionalmodel synthesizer 205. Then, the CPU 104 reads the three-dimensional CADmodel generation program 150 from the storage device 103, to cause theelements illustrated in FIG. 2 to perform processing. The storage device103 stores the element shape storage database 160 for use by thethree-dimensional CAD model generation program 150.

The three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of the presentembodiment converts the point cloud data scanned by thethree-dimensional scanner 170 into the three-dimensional CAD model datareadable by the three-dimensional printer 180.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary three-dimensional shape represented bythe point cloud data of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.3, a three-dimensional shape 300 includes different element shapes.

The three-dimensional shape 300 includes locally changing element shapesas a long hole 301 and dents 302 (in the present embodiment, athree-dimensional shape as an element of a three-dimensional shaperepresented by point cloud data, or a three-dimensional shape serving asan element that complements a part of the three-dimensional shaperepresented by the point cloud data is referred to as element shape).Converting the point cloud data of the three-dimensional shape 300including these element shapes into the three-dimensional CAD model dataresults in surface deformation or a missing curved surface due to aninfluence of the element shapes. That may even make it impossible tocreate a surface. This occurs because the element shapes are difficultto maintain continuity of a free curved surface or a solid.

In such a situation, conventionally, the operator corrects athree-dimensional CAD model with a three-dimensional CAD, for example.This likely creates a workload of the operator and requires work timetherefor.

Thus, the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of thepresent embodiment is configured to remove a locally changing elementshape from the three-dimensional shape before data conversion. Thethree-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 then converts each ofthe point cloud data of the three-dimensional shape excluding theelement shape and the point cloud data of the element shape intothree-dimensional CAD model data. The three-dimensional CAD modelgeneration program 150 then synthesizes the generated three-dimensionalCAD models to generate the three-dimensional CAD model data of theoriginal three-dimensional shape.

In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional shape excluding theelement shape and the element shape are processed as different sets ofpoint cloud data. This makes it easier to maintain the continuity of afree curved surface or a solid to be able to generate accuratethree-dimensional CAD model data.

The three-dimensional CAD model data in the present embodiment is datareadable by a three-dimensional CAD application or the three-dimensionalprinter, and holds the three-dimensional shape by the surface model orthe solid model. The surface model is defined as a three-dimensionalshape model as a group of free curved surfaces representing athree-dimensional surface shape. The solid model is defined as athree-dimensional shape model representing a solid with volumeinformation in the three-dimensional coordinate system. Next, theconfiguration of the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150will be described.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the acquirer 201 acquires the point cloud datafrom which the three-dimensional CAD model data is to be generated. Theacquirer 201 of the present embodiment acquires the point cloud datafrom the three-dimensional scanner 170. However, the source of the pointcloud data is not limited to the three-dimensional scanner 170, and thepoint cloud data may be acquired from an information processingapparatus connected through a public network, for instance.

The designation receiver 202 receives, through the input device 107, adesignation of the element shape to remove from the three-dimensionalshape represented by the point cloud data acquired by the acquirer 201.Further, the designation receiver 202 receives a designation of anadditional element shape to the three-dimensional shape.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the designation receiver 202receives a designation of additional element shapes to thethree-dimensional shape, that is, selecting and filling the long hole301 and the dents 302, for example.

In the present embodiment, when the designation receiver 202 specifiesthe element shape, the designation receiver 202 stores in the RAM 102the point cloud data representing the element shapes and positioninformation indicating the positions of the element shapes in thethree-dimensional shape. The positions of the element shapes indicatedby the position information are used to synthesize the three-dimensionalCAD model data sets.

The designation receiver 202 stores the point cloud data representingthe element shapes in the element shape storage database 160. Thereby,upon acquisition of point cloud data by the acquirer 201, when theelement shape storage database 160 stores point cloud data of an elementshape approximating a part of a three-dimensional shape of the acquiredpoint cloud data, the designation receiver 202 displays the approximateelement shape on the display device 108.

The designation receiver 202 then displays, on the display device 108, amessage screen asking the operator about whether to designate theelement shape. When receiving the designation of the element shape, thedesignation receiver 202 then uses the element shape (the point clouddata thereof stored in the element shape storage database 160) tocomplement the three-dimensional shape of the point cloud data acquiredby the acquirer 201.

The complementary data generator 203 generates complementary point clouddata representing the three-dimensional surface shape based on the pointcloud data acquired by the acquirer 201 and modified with the elementshape. The element shape may be specified by the designation receiver202 or may be the element shape stored as the point cloud data in theelement shape storage database 160.

In the present embodiment, the element shapes are intended forcomplementing holes, projections, or recesses in the three-dimensionalsurface shape represented by the point cloud data acquired by theacquirer 201. The element shapes can include, for example, an elementshape to fill a hole or a recess in the surface of the three-dimensionalshape or an element shape that eliminates a projection on the surface.

In a case where the element shape designated by the designation receiver202 is not yet registered in the element shape storage database 160, thecomplementary data generator 203 generates point cloud data representingthe designated element shape. The generated point cloud data is storedin the element shape storage database 160.

The element shape storage database 160 stores point cloud datarepresenting element shapes. The element shape storage database 160 maypre-store point cloud data of element shapes in addition to the pointcloud data of the element shape designated by the designation receiver202. Further, the element shape storage database 160 may contain pointcloud data of element shapes corrected in shape.

The three-dimensional model generator 204 generates complementarythree-dimensional CAD model data from the complementary point clouddata. The complementary three-dimensional CAD model data is defined asthree-dimensional CAD model data representing the three-dimensionalshape complemented with the element shape.

Further, the three-dimensional model generator 204 generatesthree-dimensional element CAD model data of the element shape from thepoint cloud data representing the element shape.

The three-dimensional model synthesizer 205 generates thethree-dimensional CAD model data representing the three-dimensionalsurface model or solid model represented by the point cloud dataacquired by the acquirer 201, on the basis of the complementarythree-dimensional CAD model data and the three-dimensional element CADmodel data.

For example, when the three-dimensional element CAD model datarepresents the element shape to fill a three-dimensional hole, thethree-dimensional model synthesizer 205 generates the three-dimensionalCAD model data of the three-dimensional shape with the hole, by removingthe element shape represented by the three-dimensional element CAD modeldata from the three-dimensional shape represented by the complementarythree-dimensional CAD model data. The position of the three-dimensionalshape from which the element shape is removed is the position of theelement shape stored in the RAM 102 by the designation receiver 202.

As another example, when the three-dimensional element CAD model datarepresents the element shape of a projection removed from thethree-dimensional shape, the three-dimensional model synthesizer 205generates the three-dimensional CAD model data of the three-dimensionalshape with the projection, by adding the element shape represented bythe three-dimensional element CAD model data to the three-dimensionalshape represented by the complementary three-dimensional CAD model data.

FIG. 4 is diagrams illustrating an exemplary concept of processing bythe three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of the presentembodiment. (A) in FIG. 4 is point cloud data representing athree-dimensional shape 400 with a hole 401, acquired by the acquirer201. Through data conversion of such point cloud data into thethree-dimensional CAD model data, the peripheral shape of the hole 401may not be appropriately converted.

In view of this, as illustrated in (B) in FIG. 4, the complementary datagenerator 203 generates complementary point cloud data of athree-dimensional shape 410 with the hole 401 filled. The complementarydata generator 203 also generates point cloud data representing athree-dimensional shape 411 of the hole 401.

Then, as illustrated in (C) of FIG. 4, the three-dimensional modelgenerator 204 converts the complementary point cloud data to generatecomplementary three-dimensional CAD model data representing athree-dimensional shape 420 with the filled hole 401. Further, thethree-dimensional model generator 204 converts the point cloud data togenerate three-dimensional element CAD model data representing athree-dimensional shape 421 of the hole 401.

Then, as illustrated in (D) of FIG. 4, the three-dimensional modelsynthesizer 205 provides a three-dimensional shape 430 represented bythe complementary three-dimensional CAD model data with a hole 431represented by the three-dimensional element CAD model data to generatethe three-dimensional CAD model data.

The present embodiment can prevent a missing surface or a surfacedistortion by separating sharply changing points on the surface ofthree-dimensional shape from the point cloud data as the element shapeand converting the point cloud data into the three-dimensional CAD modeldata. Next, a specific three-dimensional shape will be described.

FIG. 5 is diagrams illustrating an exemplary transition of thethree-dimensional shape by the processing according to thethree-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of the presentembodiment.

(A) of FIG. 5 exemplifies the three-dimensional shape represented by thepoint cloud data acquired by the acquirer 201. A three-dimensional shape500 illustrated in (A) of FIG. 5 includes a long hole 502 and dents 501.Through data conversion of the point cloud data containing the long hole502 and the dents 501 into the three-dimensional CAD model data, acontour of the long hole 502 may lack a curved surface or a curvedsurface around the dents 501 may be deformed.

In view of this, as illustrated in (B) of FIG. 5, the complementary datagenerator 203 sets the element shapes having the same shapes as the longhole 502 and the dents 501 to a three-dimensional shape 510 tocomplement them. The complementary data generator 203 stores thepositions of the element shapes set in the three-dimensional shape 510in addition to the point cloud data representing the three-dimensionalshapes of the three element shapes.

Then, as illustrated in (C) of FIG. 5, the three-dimensional modelgenerator 204 converts the complementary point cloud data representing athree-dimensional shape 510 complemented by the complementary datagenerator 203 to generate complementary three-dimensional CAD model data520. The three-dimensional model generator 204 converts the point clouddata of the element shapes having the same shapes as the long hole 502and the dents 501 to generate the three-dimensional element CAD modeldata. Through such data conversion, a missing curved surface or adeformed curved surface does not occur because of no presence of sharplychanging points on the surface such as the long hole 502 and the dents501 as illustrated in (A) of FIG. 5.

Then, as illustrated in (D) of FIG. 5, the three-dimensional modelsynthesizer 205 sets the element shapes (long hole 531 and dents, forexample) represented by the three-dimensional element CAD model data toa three-dimensional shape 530 represented by the complementarythree-dimensional CAD model data. The element shapes are set at thepositions corresponding to the positions stored in (B) of FIG. 5. Byautomatically setting the element shapes, the workload of the operatorcan be reduced.

Thereby, the three-dimensional CAD model data representing athree-dimensional shape 540 of the point cloud data acquired by theacquirer 201, as illustrated in (E) of FIG. 5, can be generated. Asdescribed above, by separately converting the point cloud data sets intothe three-dimensional CAD model data before synthesis, thethree-dimensional CAD model data of the three-dimensional shape withouta missing curved surface or a deformed curved surface can be generated.

Next, the overall processing of the three-dimensional object generationsystem of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is aflowchart of the procedure of the three-dimensional object generationsystem of the present embodiment.

First, the three-dimensional scanner 170 scans an object to generatepoint cloud data representing the positions on the surface of the objectby three-dimensional coordinates (S601).

The three-dimensional scanner 170 then transmits the generated pointcloud data to the information processing apparatus 100 (S602).

The acquirer 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquiresthe point cloud data from the three-dimensional scanner 170 through thefirst connection I/F 105 (S611).

Next, the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of theinformation processing apparatus 100 displays the three-dimensionalshape based on the acquired point cloud data on the display device 108(S612).

The designation receiver 202 then determines whether the displayedthree-dimensional shape contains the element shape stored in the elementshape storage DB 160 (S613). When determining absence of the elementshape (S613: No), the designation receiver 202 proceeds to S615.

On the other hand, when determining that the displayed three-dimensionalshape contains the element shape stored in the element shape storage DB160 (S613: Yes), the designation receiver 202 allows the element shapeto be displayed (S614). Thereby, the operator can designate thedisplayed element shape as the one to complement the three-dimensionalshape.

Next, the designation receiver 202 receives a designation of the elementshape from the displayed three-dimensional shape to complement thethree-dimensional shape (S615). The element shape may be designated inthe same or similar manner as in the three-dimensional CAD, for example.

The complementary data generator 203 generates complementary point clouddata representing the three-dimensional shape complemented with theelement shape designated in one or both of S614 and S615 (S616).Further, the complementary data generator 203 generates element pointcloud data representing the designated element shape, as needed.

The complementary data generator 203 stores, in the RAM 102, thegenerated element point cloud data and position information on theoriginal three-dimensional element shape represented by the elementpoint cloud data (S617). Further, the complementary data generator 203stores the generated element point cloud data in the element shapestorage DB 160, as needed.

The three-dimensional model generator 204 converts the element pointcloud data representing the element shape into the three-dimensionalelement CAD model data representing the element shape (S618).

The three-dimensional model generator 204 converts the complementarypoint cloud data representing the three-dimensional shape complementedwith the element shape to generate the complementary three-dimensionalCAD model data representing the three-dimensional shape complementedwith the element shape (S619).

The three-dimensional model synthesizer 205 synthesizes thethree-dimensional CAD model data (S620). The three-dimensional modelsynthesizer 205 of the present embodiment generates thethree-dimensional CAD model data representing the three-dimensionalshape, by placing the element shape represented by the three-dimensionalelement CAD model data on the three-dimensional shape represented by thecomplementary three-dimensional CAD model data at the positionsindicated by the position information stored in S617.

The three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 then transmitsthe three-dimensional CAD model data synthesized in S620 to thethree-dimensional printer 180 (S621).

The three-dimensional printer 180 receives the three-dimensional CADmodel data from the information processing apparatus 100 (S631).

The three-dimensional printer 180 outputs a three-dimensional objectbased on the received three-dimensional CAD model data (S632).

The three-dimensional object generation system of the present embodimentcan output accurate three-dimensional objects by the above-describedprocedure with a reduction in the workload of the operator to correct amissing or deformed curved surface of the three-dimensional CAD model.

In the three-dimensional object generation system of the presentembodiment, the element shape storage database 160 stores the pointcloud data representing the element shapes, by way of example. However,the present embodiment is not intended for limiting the element shapesto store to the point cloud data. As a modification, the element shapestorage DB 160 may store the point cloud data representing the elementshapes and the three-dimensional CAD model data (three-dimensionalelement CAD model data) representing the element shapes in associationwith each other. In such a modification, the complementarythree-dimensional CAD model data representing the three-dimensionalshape complemented with the element shape is generated by the sameprocedure as that in the first embodiment. After that, thethree-dimensional model synthesizer 205 of the modification synthesizesthe complementary three-dimensional CAD model data and thethree-dimensional element CAD model data stored in advance. Thereby, themodification can attain a similar effect to that of the firstembodiment.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment has described one example of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 in which the point cloud data generated by thethree-dimensional scanner 170 is converted into the three-dimensionalCAD model data readable by the three-dimensional printer 180. However,the example is not intended for limiting the configuration performingdata conversion to the information processing apparatus. A secondembodiment will describe the example that a three-dimensional scannerperforms data conversion.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary configurations of athree-dimensional scanner and a three-dimensional printer of a secondembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a three-dimensional scanner 700and a three-dimensional printer 180 are connected.

The three-dimensional scanner 700 includes a three-dimensional scanner701, a controller 702, a storage 703, a connection I/F 704, an input705, and a display device 706. Same or like elements as those in thefirst embodiment are denoted by the same or like reference numerals, anda description thereof is omitted.

The three-dimensional scanner 701 includes an optical sensor 711 and asensor motion controller 712, and reads a three-dimensional shape of anobject to generate point cloud data. For example, for generation of thepoint cloud data, the optical sensor 711 is motion-controlled by thesensor motion controller 712 to detect positions on thethree-dimensional surface of the object.

The storage 703 stores a three-dimensional CAD model generation program150 and an element shape storage database 160.

The controller 702 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not illustrated),and executes the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150stored in the storage 703 to implement a configuration similar to thatin FIG. 2 of the first embodiment.

The three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 generatesthree-dimensional CAD model data from the point cloud data generated bythe three-dimensional scanner 701. The procedure of generating thethree-dimensional CAD model data by the three-dimensional CAD modelgeneration program 150 is similar to the procedure of the firstembodiment, and thus a description thereof is omitted. As with the firstembodiment, the display device 706 displays the three-dimensional shapeand the input 705 receives a designation of an element shape.

The three-dimensional scanner 700 transmits the generatedthree-dimensional CAD model data to the three-dimensional printer.

The three-dimensional scanner 700 of the present embodiment has theabove-described configuration, thereby implementing the processingsimilar to that of the information processing apparatus 100 of the firstembodiment and attaining a similar effect to that of the firstembodiment.

Third Embodiment

The second embodiment has described the example of converting the pointcloud data into the three-dimensional CAD model by the three-dimensionalscanner 700. A third embodiment will describe an example of dataconversion by a three-dimensional printer.

In the present embodiment, a three-dimensional scanner and athree-dimensional printer are connected. The three-dimensional scannergenerates point cloud data and transmits the generated point cloud datato the three-dimensional printer.

The three-dimensional printer includes a controller 702, a storage 703,an input 705, and a display device 706, as with the three-dimensionalscanner 700 of the second embodiment. In addition, the three-dimensionalprinter includes a three-dimensional output. Same or like elements asthose of the second embodiment are denoted by the same or like referencenumerals, and a description thereof is omitted.

With the configuration, the controller 702 of the three-dimensionalprinter generates three-dimensional CAD data from the point cloud datareceived from the three-dimensional scanner according to an executedthree-dimensional CAD model generation program 150.

Then, the three-dimensional output forms an object having athree-dimensional shape of three-dimensional CAD model data on the basisof the three-dimensional CAD data generated by the three-dimensional CADmodel generation program 150.

The three-dimensional printer of the present embodiment has theabove-described configuration, thereby implementing the processingsimilar to that of the information processing apparatus 100 of the firstembodiment and attaining a similar effect to that of the firstembodiment.

The above-described embodiments have described the example in which theoperator designates the element shape that complements thethree-dimensional shape of the point cloud data. However, thedesignation of the element shape is not limited to the manual operationby the operator. Alternatively, the three-dimensional CAD modelgeneration program 150 may be configured to control the respectiveelements to identify a location on a three-dimensional shape where adeformed curved surface or a missing curved surface likely occurs, onthe basis of a threshold, and designate the element shape in theidentified location.

In the above-described embodiments, in generating the three-dimensionalCAD model data from the point cloud data, the element shape is convertedinto separate point cloud data sets, and the point cloud data sets areconverted into separate three-dimensional CAD model data sets forsynthesizing. This can prevent occurrence of a deformed curved surfaceand a missing curved surface, which would otherwise occur at the time ofdata conversion. This can reduce a workload of the operator to correctthe curved surface accordingly, leading to generating accuratethree-dimensional CAD model data.

The three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 executed in theinformation processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may berecorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as aCD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD)in an installable format or an executable file format.

Further, the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 executedin the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodimentmay be configured to be stored on a computer connected with a networksuch as the Internet and downloaded through the network. Thethree-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 executed in theinformation processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may beprovided or distributed through the network such as the Internet.

Further, the three-dimensional CAD model generation program 150 of thepresent embodiment may be incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1: A computer program product including programmed instructions embodiedin and stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein theinstructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer toperform: acquiring first point cloud data including three-dimensionalcoordinates of a position on a first three-dimensional surface shape;changing, using a three-dimensional element shape, the firstthree-dimensional surface shape represented by the first point clouddata to a second three-dimensional surface shave, and first generatingsecond point cloud data including three-dimensional coordinates of asurface position on the second three-dimensional surface shape; secondgenerating second shape data from the second point cloud data, thesecond shape data representing the second three-dimensional shape by asurface model or a solid model, the surface model representing thethree-dimensional surface shape by a curved surface, the solid modelrepresenting a three-dimensional shape having a volume as solidinformation; and synthesizing the second shape data and element shapedata representing the element shape by the surface model or the solidmodel, to generate first shape data representing the surface model orthe solid model of the first three-dimensional shape. 2: The computerprogram product according to claim 1, wherein the second generatingincludes generating the element shape data from point cloud datarepresenting the element shape, using the surface model or the solidmodel. 3: The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein thechanging includes complementing a hole, a projection, or a recess in thesecond three-dimensional surface shape with the element shape thatcomplements a hole, a projection, or a recess in the firstthree-dimensional surface shape, and the first generating includesgenerating the second point cloud data representing the position on thesecond three-dimensional surface shape with the hole, the projection, orthe recess complemented. 4: The computer program product according toclaim 1, wherein the computer includes a storage that stores the pointcloud data representing the element shape, and the changing includeschanging the first three-dimensional surface shape represented by thefirst point cloud data, using the element shape represented by the pointcloud data stored in the storage, to generate the second point clouddata. 5: The computer program product according to claim 1 wherein theinstructions cause the computer to further perform: receiving adesignation of the element shape, and the changing includes changing thefirst three-dimensional surface shape to the second three-dimensionalshape, using the element shape designated in the receiving, and thefirst generating include generating second point cloud data includingcoordinates of a position on the second three-dimensional shape. 6: Aninformation processing apparatus comprising: an acquirer configured toacquire first point cloud data including three-dimensional coordinatesof a position on a first three-dimensional surface shape; a firstgenerator configured to change, using a three-dimensional element shape,the first three-dimensional surface shape represented by the first pointcloud data to a second three-dimensional surface shape, and generatesecond point cloud data including three-dimensional coordinates of aposition on the second three-dimensional surface shape; a secondgenerator configured to generate second shape data from the second pointcloud data, the second shape data representing the secondthree-dimensional shape by a surface model or a solid model, the surfacemodel representing a three-dimensional surface shape by a curvedsurface, the solid model representing a three-dimensional shape having avolume as solid information; and a synthesizer configured to synthesizethe second shape data and element shape data representing the elementshape by the surface model or the solid model, to generate first shapedata representing the surface model or the solid model of the firstthree-dimensional shape. 7: The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 6, further comprising: a three-dimensional readerconfigured to read the first three-dimensional shape of an object togenerate the first point cloud data, wherein the acquirer acquires thefirst point cloud data generated by the three-dimensional reader. 8: Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a three-dimensional output configured to form the objectrepresenting the first three-dimensional shape, on the basis of thefirst shape data generated by the synthesizer. 9: A data processingmethod to be executed by an information processing apparatus, the dataprocessing method comprising: acquiring first point cloud data includingthree-dimensional coordinates of a position on a first three-dimensionalsurface shape; changing the first three-dimensional shape represented bythe first point cloud data to a second three-dimensional surface shape,using a three-dimensional element shape, and generating second pointcloud data including three-dimensional coordinates of a position on thesecond three-dimensional surface shape; generating second shape datafrom the second point cloud data, the second shape data representing thesecond three-dimensional shape by a surface model or a solid model, thesurface model representing a three-dimensional surface shape by a curvedsurface, the solid model representing a three-dimensional shape having avolume as solid information; and synthesizing the second shape data andelement shape data representing the element shape by the surface modelor the solid model, to generate first shape data representing thesurface model or the solid model of the first three-dimensional shape.